Chương 136: The Mansion of Hestia

"Ah!" Seeing Cael ambushed by Hestia, Lili froze. In public? Lady Hestia, that is too unfair. Lili hurried over and tried to pull Hestia away.

"Lady Hestia, Lord Cael just finished fighting and must be exhausted. He cannot breathe. Please restrain yourself in front of so many people."

"Let go, Supporter. This is a tender reunion between lovers separated for far too long. Do not interrupt me." Hestia refused to release him. Those shameless goddesses had all been waiting for a chance to steal Cael away. A child like Cael, who had not experienced that sort of thing, might be seduced and swallowed whole if a dangerous goddess took aim at him.

"Ah... I am dead." Cael collapsed, and Hestia ended up sitting on his chest. The feeling was difficult to describe. It was his first time experiencing something this overwhelming. Lady Goddess was truly happy.

"Aaaah! Cael, what happened?"

"This is your fault, Lady Hestia. Lord Cael fainted because he could not breathe."

"Hahaha!" The Hashira and the surrounding crowd burst into laughter. Tengen patted Inosuke's shoulder with a knowing expression. Inosuke looked confused.

"What am I supposed to understand?"

"You want to understand? I will teach you later." Meanwhile, the gods leaving Babel were still savoring the War Game. Every member of Hestia Familia had left an unforgettable impression. Most gods would not resort to cheap tricks, but a small number enjoyed petty schemes.

"Hestia really has become troublesome," Loki muttered.

"A strategist, members with enormous potential... I cannot underestimate her anymore. I should be careful." She clicked her tongue. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"But I will never lose to her in arguments. Verbal fights are still that shrimp's weak point." Then Loki's lips curved slightly.

"Ais and the others should be returning soon. I wonder how far the expedition reached this time and what interesting news they bring. I am looking forward to it." Elsewhere, Freya smiled with lingering satisfaction.

"It seems few of my fellow gods have realized the true meaning of that 'farce.' Hehe. I did not expect this. So many surprises." Her voice was sweet and bewitching.

"Cael..." Freya had seen clearly what many gods had missed. Among the brilliant souls gathered like stars, there was a moon. There were many stars, but only one moon. Cael was that moon. In any era, a true hero would become the center that drew other beloved children of the age around him. Usually, other goddesses were jealous of Freya. This time, Freya was jealous of Hestia. If the hero of the era threw himself into Hestia's arms, then the other beloved children of the age would follow him there.

That was a glory even Argo's heroes from the previous era had not possessed. They were stars, not the true hero of an age. A true hero of an age was loved by the world itself. Opportunities gathered around him. Whatever crisis appeared, he could cross it. In a sense, he was the world's child.

"Is he truly out of reach this time? Hehe, Cael." Freya smiled mysteriously. If one tried to interfere with a hero loved by the age, even gods might be unable to resist the world's favor. Interfering with him would be like interfering with the world itself. Over the rest of the day, the former Apollo Familia members packed their belongings and left the estate. Although Hestia had confiscated Apollo Familia's collective property, she was not a coldhearted goddess.

The Familia's shared assets were seized, but personal belongings were allowed to be taken. Many former Apollo Familia members were moved by that mercy. They understood that they had brought the War Game upon themselves. They did not truly resent Hestia Familia. Their attachment to Apollo Familia had never been strong. They had been united mostly by Apollo's blessing, not by the feeling of family. In the end, two of Apollo Familia's executives hesitated and did not leave.

Daphne, the serious girl who looked almost like a soldier. And Cassandra, the gloomy, timid girl who looked as if a shrine maiden's hat would complete the image.

"Um..." Cassandra spoke quietly, almost shrinking.

"Although Hestia Familia defeated us..."

"Although?" Daphne asked.

"He believed my prophetic dreams. He was the first person to believe me. He even invited me..." Cassandra tugged Daphne's sleeve, looking as if she might cry.

"Daphne, join Hestia Familia with me. I am scared by myself."

"That is your only reason?" Daphne did not know what to say.

"Yes." Cassandra nodded. That person was the only one who had believed her. For the first time, someone had trusted her so directly. Remembering it made her blush shyly.

"I have no attachment to Apollo Familia either," Daphne said after thinking for a moment.

"And since our god was sent back to Heaven, our Falna cannot be updated anymore." She paused.

"But everyone in Hestia Familia is absurdly strong. Would Goddess Hestia really accept a second-rate adventurer like me?" Shinobu had defeated her with poison, but even without poison, that woman could probably have beaten her immediately.

"Hey, you two over there. What are you standing around for? Come here." A familiar voice called out just as Daphne was hesitating. When she looked over, she saw Hestia Familia's captain waving at them. Beside him, Goddess Hestia stood with her hands on her hips and eyes shining.

"Lady Goddess, this girl is a treasure with prophetic ability," Cael said, pointing at Cassandra with a smile.

"We absolutely need her."

"Do you two want to join Hestia Familia?" Hestia asked, her eyes narrowing into a happy smile.

"If you do, you might become as strong as Cael and the others someday." Daphne suddenly felt as if she were being lured into a shop by a very enthusiastic merchant.